Strut clamp

ABSTRACT

A clamp for a construction strut that allows a pipe to be clamped to the construction strut in which the clamp has a fastener that is not exposed above the clamp curvature and in which the fastener head is easily accessible. Also the clamp has a retaining tab and a neck portion such that it can be installed either on the open side of the construction strut or on the closed side using slots in the closed side by straight-in passing the retaining tab past the inturned flanges on the top of the construction strut.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to clamps that are used for clamping pipes andconduits to construction struts.

BACKGROUND

Construction struts (they are also called channels and framing channels)are well known and ubiquitous in construction, especially in commercialbuildings. One of their purposes is to enable pipes and conduits to beinstalled by being clamped to the construction struts.

A good reference for construction struts as well as accessories for usewith them can be found in the catalogue of ERICO InternationalCorporation of Solon, Ohio, and their website ERICO.com. One of the mostcommonly used accessories with construction struts are clamps forclamping pipes and conduits to the construction strut. Several of thesecan be found in the ERICO catalogue including a design that is alsodescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,440 the content of which isincorporated by reference herein.

Another good reference to these products is Thomas&Betts Corporation ofMemphis Tenn.

FIG. 1 shows in cross-section a typical construction strut (taken fromthe catalogue of Thomas & Betts). These are made by the variousmanufacturers to dimensions which are either the same or sufficientlysubstantially the same that accessories will fit on those made by thevarious manufacturers as shown on FIG. 1 but varying in height.Therefore a standard configuration of the top and inturned flanges andwidth is adopted by the industry which enables the use of variousaccessories regardless of the manufacturer of the construction strut.There are other standardized features one of which is providing slots onthe bottom of the construction strut. Using the slots, some accessoriescan be attached to both the top and the bottom of the constructionstrut. A typical accessory is the clamp which is the subject of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows three common types of pipe clamps of the prior artdesignated E1, E2 and E3. Pipe clamp E1 features separate sides 20 a and20 b which are held in the construction strut 10. A perspective drawingof type E1 is shown in the ERICO catalogue at page 78. Type E1 isinstalled by fitting the separate sides 20 a and 20 b into theconstruction channel with the pipe between them, and then fastening themtogether with the threaded fastener and nut 22. Type E1 has thedisadvantages of having four parts (including the nut), mostinconveniently, the clamping sides 20 a and 20 b being separate. It isdifficult to install when there are several pipes to be installed closeto each other because a screwdriver cannot be used and they have to bemanipulated to be held in position as the screw is inserted to keep themassembled. Notably, often installation of pipes and conduits has to bedone in very tight and crowded spaces.

Type E2 in FIG. 2 is made to improve type E1 by allowing easier accessto the fastener head but it too has disadvantages; when the fastener istightened it tends to move to a more vertical position exposing the headand putting uneven pressure on the pipe.

Type E3 is shown in the Erico catalogue on page 80 and it is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 4,429,440. It has the disadvantage that it does not wraparound the pipe so the pipe is not firmly gripped and is subject totwisting. Also, if the fastener is tightened too much the pipe can becrushed; therefore, this type cannot be used on heavy duty workrequirements.

All three of these illustrated fasteners has the additional disadvantagethat there is a portion exposed allowing injuries to workers who passunder them as shown in FIG. 2 and also injury to hands and arms whentrying to work in a crowded space. One of the problems in this work isthat it is often done in tight and crowded spaces and with a lot ofadjacent pipes and conduits.

There is a need for a clamp that is easy to install, does not expose afastener head, allows ready access for tightening and has a clampingsurface to keep it firmly in place.

Also there is often a need to clamp a pipe or conduit to the oppositebottom side of the construction strut, where there are slots; aversatile clamp that will work on both sides of the construction strutis very desirable Also, there is a need not only for such a versatileclamp, but one that in accomplishing that versatility also is easy toinstall.

In construction it is often the case that construction struts will bestacked. This is shown in FIG. 2 b. In the figure stacked constructionstruts are shown. For illustrative purposes, in between struts 10 and 10a there are clamps of the type E1, E2 (as in FIG. 2 a) and betweenstruts 10 and 10 b there are clamps of the type E3 (as in FIG. 2 a). Theproblem with both of these clamp types lies in the dimension N, betweenthe struts. The present invention recognizes the desirability ofreducing that distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section of a typical construction strut.

FIG. 2 a shows some prior art clamps.

FIG. 2 b shows stacked construction struts with prior art clamps

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c and 3 d are views of an exemplary strip member ofthe clamp of the invention.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are a top and side view respectively of an exemplarynut of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of an exemplary clamp of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary clamp of the inventioninstalled on a construction strut shown partially cut-away.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary clamp of the invention installedon a construction strut.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an exemplary clamp inserted and hooked under aninturned flange on the open side of a construction strut.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the installation and clamping of a pipe usingan exemplary clamp on the open side of a construction strut.

FIG. 10 shows the beginning of installation of the clamp to the bottomside of a construction strut.

FIG. 11 shows the clamp installed on the bottom side of a constructionstrut.

FIG. 12 is a view looking into the construction strut for theinstallation as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is another view looking into the construction strut for theinstallation as shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the invention as used to mount a pipe belowand above a construction strut as well as mounting an additional pipe onthe clamp of the first pipe and also showing a stacked constructionstrut.

FIG. 15 is a view showing the head of the fastener below the maximumcurvature of the strut clamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a strut clamp that is an improvement over priordesigns in several aspects. One improvement is that the fastener head iseasily available for tightening, in particular, with a screw driver, andalso is not exposed above the top of the pipe and does not extendhorizontally. Another improvement is that the same clamp can be used onthe top (open) side of a construction strut, or on the bottom (closed)slotted side (that is, it has a series of short spaced-apart slots).Another improvement is that the clamp can be inserted straight-inbetween the inturned flanges of a construction strut; that is without anangled or twist maneuver. Another improvement for some embodiments isthat it is easy to install because the parts can be all assembled into asingle unit away from the strut and then be installed together. Anotherimprovement is that there is always a good range of wrap-around to keepthe pipe from moving. Another improvement is that stacked constructionstruts can be closer together than with other clamps. All of theseimprovements and others will be seen and further explained in thefollowing description.

The invention is used in combination with a construction strut to clamppipes (for convenience the term “pipe(s)” will be used to include allcircular members, including pipes and conduits) that are to be clampedto a construction strut. Construction strut configurations are known andare available from many sources but with the same configurations andsubstantially the same dimensions, for installing a clamp. It is incombination with construction struts that the present invention isadvantageous.

Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a typical construction strutexemplary of use with the clamp of the present invention in which theconstruction strut 10 in the form of a channel is defined by a bottomwall 12, side walls 14 and 16 and a top 18 having intumed flanges 20extending from the side walls 14 and 16 respectively defining a space 22between them, also called a slot or channel, extending the length of theconstruction strut, and an inside distance D between the side walls 14and 16. The bottom wall 12 can have a series of spaced apart slots 24(see FIGS. 10-13) which are available in a variety of lengths andspacing. Construction struts are sold by a number of manufacturers, andare of generally standardized dimensions in which the height of the sidewalls 14 and 16 may vary, but the dimensions defining the width of thestrut, the top inturned flanges 20, the slot 22 and the inside distanceD are sufficiently substantially similar that accessories such as thepresent clamp, will fit on the construction struts made by a number ofmanufacturers. As shown in FIG. 1 the width of the space 22 is nominally⅞ inch and the total width of the strut is nominally 1⅝ inch. The insidewidth D depends on the thickness (12 an 14 gauge are common) of thestrut material and is not typically given in manufacturers' catalogues,however for purposes of the present description a dimension of about 1½inch is taken as applicable. As for the slots in the bottom wall 12, aseries of slots on 2 inch centers and having dimensions of 1⅛ inch longand 9/16 inch wide is common. While the present invention can bedimensioned for various dimensions of the slots, a width of 9/16 andlength of 1⅛ inch is a selected preferred slot width and length forwhich the present invention can be configured and it is a very commonslotting.

Referring to FIGS. 3 a-d, 4 a-b and 5, in one embodiment the clamp 30 ofthe present invention comprises three parts which are, a clamp strip 32,a nut 34 and a bolt or machine screw 36. These are used in conjunctionwith an industry standard construction strut 10 holding in place a pipeP. Pipes come in different sizes, such as from ½ inch to 5 inch. Theyalso come in different types such as EMT and RIGID. In general, a clampis configured for each pipe size. That is, the length of the strip 32and its curvature are specific for a pipe size. Pipe sizes are specifiedfor their inside diameter (ID) and the outside diameter will depend onthe thickness of the pipe. Therefore the strip curvature will bespecific for that outside diameter. There are some cases in which aclamp can fit more than one pipe because different pipe types allowthis. For example in some prior art clamps a single clamp can be usedfor a ¾ inch EMT and a ½ inch RIGID pipe. Nevertheless, commonly, withinthe size range for a given pipe type, there is a clamp configured to fiteach pipe size. In particular the length of the strip and its curvatureare made to fit. However in the present invention the retaining tab andthe neck portions (as described below) are configured for the dimensionsof the industry standard construction strut and therefore will be thesame for all sized clamps. In this description the term “engage” refersto the curvature of the strip fitting to the curvature of the pipe. Theterm “pipe” is intended to mean any of the circular items that thepresent strut clamp is used for, including pipes, conduits and othercircular items.

The clamp strip 32 has an intermediate portion 38 that has a curvedportion or curvature for extending around the pipe to be clamped. Thestrip 32 terminates at a first end 40 which will also be referred to asthe gripping end; and, extending into a flat shelf portion 42, itterminates at a second end 44 which will also be referred to as thefastening end; the flat shelf portion 42 having a hole 43. The clampstrip 32 has a first longitudinal side 46 and a second longitudinal side48 which define a width of the strip. As will be explained, an exemplarywidth is 1 inch. At the first end 40 is a retaining tab 50 that isattached to the intermediate portion 38 by a narrow neck 52. The neck 52can be formed in a number of ways. As will be seen the dimensionalrelationship of the neck 52 and the retaining tab 50 to each other andto the dimensions of the construction strut are important to theadvantageous functioning of the new clamp.

Below the neck 52, the retaining tab 50 has a width W. It extends fromeach side of the neck 52 to a first side 53 and a second side 55. Atleast one of the sides 53 and 55 has a hook 60.

In a preferred embodiment, as described below the first side 53 has anupward facing edge 58 and the second side 55 has an upward facing hook60 such that the upward facing edge 58 and the top of the hook 60 arealigned.

In a preferred embodiment the width W is less than the nominal ⅞ inchdimension of the opening 22 in the common construction strut 10 (seeFIG. 1); sufficiently less that the retaining tab 50 can be insertedstraight down (called straight-in insertion) between the intumed flanges20 without the need for a twist or angled insertion maneuver. Typicallybut not necessarily, the width of the retaining tab 50 will be narrowerthan the width of the intermediate portion 38 such as when the width ofthe intermediate portion is 1 inch as mentioned above. The width W ofthe retaining tab is less than the width of the opening 22, preferablyin the range of about 13/16 to ⅝ inch. If straight-in insertion is notdesired, the width W can exceed the width of the opening 22 so long asit will fit inside the construction strut.

In general the neck portion width will be less than the width of theintermediate portion 48; preferably by a reduction in width on eachside. One way for forming the neck 52 is by notches in the strip abovethe retaining tab 50. This is shown in FIG. 3 c. In the firstlongitudinal side 46, near the first end 40 there is a first notch 54and in the second longitudinal side 48, near the first end 40 there is asecond notch 56. The bottom of the first notch 54 is defined by anupward facing edge 58 which is not hooked while the bottom of the secondnotch 56 is defined by an upward facing hook 60. The notches can bereversed since there is no required left-right orientation. As noted inFIG. 3 c in this embodiment, the upward facing edge 58 is preferablyaligned with the top of the hook 60 the purpose for which will beexplained below.

Referring to FIG. 3 d there is shown an alternative structure forforming the neck 52. In this form the neck 52 is formed by tapers 66 and68 along the first side 46 and the second side 48, respectively.

In the embodiment shown, the width W of the retaining tab 50 is madeless than the space 22 between the inturned flanges 20 by being shorterat its first side 53 relative to the first side 46 as shown by space Xwhile the second side 55 where the hook 60 is, is aligned with thesecond side 48. This alignment allows extra distance for the hook 60, onthe second side 55 of the retaining tab 50. However this alignment whilepreferred is not essential. For example, each of the side 53 and theside 55 can be not aligned with their respective sides 46 and 48 of theintermediate portion 38. For example, the neck portion 52 and theretaining tab 50 could be located independently with respect to thewidth of the intermediate portion 38, extending for example from thecenter a selected distance to each side. Also, if the neck 52 is reducedin width added distance is available for the lateral extension of therespective sides of the retaining tab 50. This will allow more spacefrom the neck 52 to the hook 60 which can be needed to account forvariations in the dimensions of the inturned flanges 20. The essentialshape and dimensions of the retaining tab 50 and the width of the neck52 is such that the hook 60 extends sufficiently laterally away from theneck 52 that it can fit under the inturned flange (see FIGS. 6 and 8)and the edge 58 extends sufficiently laterally away from the neck 52that it will extend beyond the edge of the slot 24 as shown in FIGS. 11and 12; the total width of the retaining tab 50 for the embodiment forstraight-in insertion, always being less than the opening 22 in theconstruction strut and the width of the neck 52 being less than thewidth of the space 22 and of the width of the slot 24 which therebyallows the hook 60 of the second side 55 to be captured under theintumed flanges 20 and both the first side 53 and the second side 55 tobe captured and under the bottom 12 on each side of the slot 24.

The clamp strip 32 is preferably formed with a ridge 64 over most of itslength in order to add stability against twisting or other unwantedbending.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show the nut 34 which is preferably formed from aplate, having a top 80 with a threaded hole 82 located centrally andsides 84 a and 84 b at the ends of which extend hook pairs 86 a-86 b and88 a-88 b. The hook pairs are bent toward (convergently) each other,which makes installation easier. The convergent bending is preferablysymmetrical, which allows the most convenient use. Each hook has anupward facing curved surface 90 which, as will be seen, fits under theintumed flanges 20 on a construction strut 10. Any configuration at theends of the nut that provides spaced apart curved members to fit underthe inturned flanges will broadly be within this concept. While this newnut is advantageous for the purpose of enhancing ease of installation ofthe clamp, nuts already known can also be used in the combination withthe clamp strip 32 and the bolt or screw 36. The nut 34 is preferablysmaller in width than the width of the slot 24, preferably smaller thanthe 9/16 inch width of the common slot described above and shorter thanthe 1⅛ inch length of the slot, the symmetrically convergent hook pairsallowing easy passage through the slot 24. In this way, with the nut 34threaded on the screw 36, the entire clamp can be assembled andinstalled in a single operation in which the nut is passed through theslot 24 or between the inturned flanges 20 and then rotated into thecross-wise position.

In use the new clamp allows for clamping a pipe to a construction struton its top, or on its bottom. Construction struts are well known, andfor purposes of the present explanation of use of the new clamp, thedescription above will be used. FIGS. 6-9 show how the new clamp 30 isused to fix a pipe P to the top of a construction strut 10. Although inthe figures the clamp 30 and pipe P are shown on top of the constructionstrut 10, as is well known, the assembly may also be in invertedposition, that is, with the construction strut inverted with the pipesuspended below it.

The clamp may be applied to a pipe already in place or the clamp can beput in place loosely, and the pipe inserted under it; then the clamp istightened. With the clamp in place the hook 60 is captured under theadjacent intumed flange 20 on the strut 10. The width of the retainingtab 50 is small enough that it readily fits in the space 22 between theinturned flanges 20 without the need for angled or twist insertion, thatis by straight-in insertion without the need for putting it in at anangel as would be the case if the width was greater than the space 22.The space 22 is conventionally nominally ⅞ inch. A width of theretaining tab 50 from about 1/16 inch smaller than the opening 22 workswell. A range from 13/16 to ⅝ inch is preferred. If straight-ininsertion is not desired, the width of the retaining tab 50 can exceedthe width 22 so long as it fits readily inside the construction strut.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, the clamp 30 is shown installed on a strut 10.The hook 60 is captured under the intumed flange 20 while the oppositeside 53 of the retaining tab is not captured by the adjacent inturnedflange 20 (FIG. 8) and does not extend to interfere with the oppositeintumed flange. A good way to achieve this is to make the second side 55extend beyond the neck 52 more than does the first side 53. That allowsfor variation in the capture of the hook 60 under the inturned flange 20on one side while avoiding the first side 53 hitting the other inturnedflange 20 as can be appreciated by FIG. 8. Of course, in the case wherethe total width W of the retaining tab 50 is less than the width 22between the inturned flanges 20, this is automatically accommodatedsince the first side 53 cannot interfere with the proximate inturnedflange when the hook 60 is under the other inturned flange.

The nut 34 is captured under the inturned flanges 20 by contact of thecurved surfaces 90. The bolt 36 is tightened to the nut 34 holding thepipe P firmly in place. The head of the bolt 36 is presented uprightfrom the strut and below the pipe P; it can be easily tightened by ascrewdriver or a wrench (for hex head bolts), but it does not present arisk of injury, or the need to avoid injury because it is below thecurvature 38 of the clamp 30 (see also FIGS. 14 and 15). Also, adjacentclamps do not interfere with each other. Further, as seen in FIG. 14,stacked struts can be more closely stacked. The bolt can have a hex headand a screwdriver slot, or any other type of head that is available, butpreferably for tightening with a blade screwdriver or a Philipsscrewdriver.

The clamp can also be used to clamp a pipe on the bottom 12 of the strut10 when it is provided with slots 24, which is a common featureavailable on construction struts. This is shown in FIGS. 10-13. Firstthe clamp strip 30 is inserted sideways into the slot 24 (FIG. 10)sufficiently that the retaining tab 50 is inside the strut 10 and theneck 52 is aligned with the slot 24. Then it is turned into thecross-wise or straddle position so that the retaining tab 50 will becaptured under the bottom 12 with the hook 60 and the flat edge 58extending on each side of the slot 24 in contact with the interiorsurface of the bottom wall 12. The flat portion 42 of the second end 44of the strip 32 is now above another slot 24 b along the length of thestrut 10. As described above, although not shown in FIG. 10, the screw36 and the nut 34 can be assembled to the strip 32 and the nut guidedinto the adjacent slot 24 b and rotated into the cross-wise position asshown in FIGS. 11 and 13. It can be appreciated that by having one sideof the strip 32 having a hook 56, there is a positive connection to theinturned flange 20 when installed in the top of the strut and by havinga flat edge 54 on the opposite side, there is a clamping on both sidesof the slot 24 in that configuration, the flat edge 54 providing addedstrength for the clamping action.

For fitting into a typical slot of the prior art as described above inwhich the slot width is nominally 9/16 inch the width of the neck 52should not exceed about ½ inch.

FIG. 14 shows the versatility provided by the invention. One clamp 30 ispositioned on the top of a strut 10 clamping a first pipe P1 and using abracket clamp 94 a second pipe P2 is clamped above it. Under the strut10 another pipe P3 is clamped in place with a clamp 30 on the bottomwall 12.

FIG. 14 also shows the advantage of the invention in reducing thedistance between stacked construction struts. In this respect,comparison is made to the distance between stacked construction strutswhich distance is dictated by the configuration of the clamps E1, E2 andE3 in FIG. 2. However with the present clamp, the stacked constructionstruts shown in FIG. 14 are able to be closer together.

FIG. 15 illustrates the requisite configuration for the head of afastener to be below the maximum curvature (the maximum distance fromthe construction strut) of the intermediate portion of the strut clamp.The dimension M from the maximum curvature of the intermediate portion38 to the flat shelf portion 42 must be more than the height of the head37 of the fastener 36. In most applications the fastener head height isabout 5/32 in. for a hex head or about 3/16 in. for a round head.Therefore, the distance M is preferably at least about ¼ in. Also, thatdimension should be less than the radius of the curvature so that itwill not be lower than half way to the strut 10.

The clamp can be made in a range of sizes each size made to accommodatea pipe size. As noted above the dimensions of the construction strut arestandardized, so the relationship of the parts of the clamp thatinteract and interengage with the construction strut can be determinedin that context. The size variables for different pipes are the width,length and degree of curvature of the intermediate portion 38. Theexemplary version given above has a width of 1 inch for the intermediateportion 38; wider and thinner dimensions may be applicable although asingle width is preferred for all sizes. The length of the intermediateportion 38 is selected so that the head of the screw 36 can be below theupper reach of the curvature as described above.

The foregoing Detailed Description of exemplary and preferredembodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure inaccordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to beexhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form or formsdescribed, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understandhow the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation.The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent topractitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by thedescription of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances,feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineeringspecifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementationsor with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should beimplied therefrom. This disclosure has been made with respect to thecurrent state of the art, but also contemplates advancements and thatadaptations in the future may take into consideration of thoseadvancements, namely in accordance with the then current state of theart. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by theClaims as written and equivalents as applicable. Reference to a claimelement in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one”unless explicitly so stated. Moreover, no element, component, nor methodor process step in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to thepublic regardless of whether the element, component, or step isexplicitly recited in the Claims. No claim element herein is to beconstrued under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, sixth paragraph,unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for . .. ” and no method or process step herein is to be construed under thoseprovisions unless the step, or steps, are expressly recited using thephrase “comprising step(s) for . . . ”

1. A strut clamp for attaching a pipe or conduit or similar circularitem to a standard construction strut of the type having a top side witha longitudinal space having a width dimension defined by spaced apartinturned flanges; a metal strip having a first end and a second end,near the first end having a neck portion that has a width that is lessthan the width dimension of the longitudinal space of the standardconstruction strut and a retaining tab below the neck portion, theretaining tab having a width that is less than the width dimension ofthe longitudinal space of the standard construction strut whereby theretaining tab can be attached by straight-in insertion of the retainingtab past the inturned flanges of the construction strut, the retainingtab having a first and second side each extending outwardly on oppositesides of the neck portion, and the first side having an upward facingedge and the second side having an upward extending hook the upwardfacing edge and the top of the hook being aligned perpendicular to themetal strip and the metal strip near the second end being adapted forpassing a fastener through it and an intermediate portion extendingbetween the first and second ends having a curvature portion; wherebythe strut clamp can be attached to the construction strut at its topside, at the first end by the hook on the second side of the retainingtab engaging under an inturned flange of the construction strut; and thecurvature of the intermediate portion of the strut clamp defining anopening such that a pipe or conduit or similar circular item may passacross the strut and be captured by the opening; further, for attachingto a standard construction strut having a bottom side that haslongitudinally spaced apart slots, the slots having a width dimensionand a length dimension, the width of the retaining tab being less thanthe length dimension of the slot and the width dimension of theretaining tab being greater than the width dimension of the slot; thewidth of the neck portion being less than the width dimension of theslot; whereby the strut clamp can also be used to clamp a pipe orconduit or similar circular item to the bottom side of the standardconstruction strut by passing the retaining tab through the slot andturning it so that the hook and the upward facing edge each engage thebottom of the standard construction strut; the second end having a bendacross its width to define a flat area in which a hole is positioned andthe curvature portion extending lengthwise from the bend to a straightportion that ends at the neck portion; a nut having opposite ends eachof the ends being formed as a pair of outwardly extending spaced aparthooks each hook having an upward facing curved element and a centralportion extending from the pairs of hooks and having a threaded holesubstantially midway of the central portion such that when placed insidethe construction strut the hooks of the nut can engage the inturnedflanges; and whereby a fastener placed through the hole and threaded tothe threaded hole of the nut enables the clamp to be tightened orloosened.
 2. The strut clamp of claim 1 wherein the nut is formed as achannel in which the central portion has sides extending downwardly froma face surface and the pairs of spaced apart hooks are formed as ends ofthe sides extending beyond the face surface.
 3. The strut clamp of claim1 wherein each of the pairs of spaced apart hooks extend symmetricallyconvergently beyond the face surface.
 4. The strut clamp of claim 1wherein the width of the retaining tab does not exceed about 13/16 inch.5. The strut clamp of claim 1 wherein the width of the neck portion doesnot exceed about ½ inch.
 6. The strut clamp of claim 1 wherein thesecond side of the retaining tab extends beyond the neck portion morethan the first side of the retaining tab.
 7. The strut clamp of claim 6wherein the second side of the retaining tab extends outwardly beyondthe neck portion by not less than about 3/16 inch.
 8. The strut clamp ofclaim 1 wherein the curvature portion has a maximum curvature point andthe flat area is below the maximum curvature point.
 9. The strut clampof claim 8 wherein the flat area is at least about ¼ inch below themaximum curvature point.
 10. A strut clamp and construction strutassembly comprising; a construction strut of the type having a bottomand spaced apart parallel extending sides terminating in spaced apartinturned flanges defining a top side having a longitudinal opening witha width dimension defined by the spaced apart inturned flanges; and astrut clamp comprising; a metal strip having a first end and a secondend, near the first end having a neck portion that has a width that isless than the width dimension of the longitudinal opening of the topside of the construction strut and a retaining tab below the neckportion, the retaining tab having a width that is less than the widthdimension of the longitudinal space of the construction strut wherebythe retaining tab can be attached by straight-in insertion of theretaining tab past the inturned flanges of the construction strut, theretaining tab having a first and second side each extending outwardly onopposite sides of the neck portion, and the first side having an upwardfacing edge and the second side having an upward extending hook theupward facing edge and the top of the hook being aligned perpendicularto the metal strip and the metal strip near the second end being adaptedfor passing a fastener through it and an intermediate portion extendingbetween the first and second ends having a curvature portion; wherebythe strut clamp can be attached to the construction strut at its topside, at the first end by the hook on the second side of the retainingtab engaging under an inturned flange of the construction strut; and thecurvature of the intermediate portion of the strut clamp defining anopening such that a pipe or conduit or similar circular item may passacross the strut and be captured by the opening; further wherein theconstruction strut has a bottom side that has longitudinally spacedapart slots, the slots having a width dimension and a length dimension,the width of the retaining tab being less than the length dimension ofthe slots and the width dimension of the retaining tab being greaterthan the width dimension of the slots; the width of the neck portionbeing less than the width dimension of the slot; whereby the strut clampmay be assembled to the bottom side of the construction strut or to thetop side of the construction strut thereby allowing clamping of a pipeor conduit or similar item to the construction strut either across thetop side or the bottom side of the construction strut; the second end ofthe metal strip having a bend across its width to define a flat area inwhich a hole is positioned and the intermediate portion having acurvature extending lengthwise from the bend to a straight portion thatends at the neck portion; a nut having opposite ends each of the endsbeing formed as a pair of outwardly extending spaced apart hooks eachhook having an upward facing curved element and a central portionextending from the pairs of hooks and having a threaded holesubstantially midway of the central portion the distance between thehooks being such that the hooks will engage the inturned flanges of theconstruction strut when the nut is placed under them; whereby a fastenerplaced through the hole and threaded to the threaded hole of the nutenables the clamp to be tightened or loosened.
 11. The assembly of claim10 wherein the nut is formed as a channel in which the central portionhas sides extending downwardly from a face surface and the pairs ofspaced apart hooks are formed as the ends of the sides extending beyondthe face surface.
 12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein each of the pairsof spaced apart hooks extend substantially symmetrically convergentlybeyond the face surface.
 13. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the widthof the retaining tab does not exceed about 13/16 inch.
 14. The assemblyof claim 10 wherein the second side of the retaining tab extends beyondthe neck portion more than the first side of the retaining tab.
 15. Theassembly of claim 10 wherein the width of the neck portion does notexceed about ½ inch.
 16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the secondside of the retaining tab extends outwardly beyond the neck portion bynot less than about 3/16 inch.
 17. The assembly of claim 10 furthercomprising a pipe or conduit or similar item having a selected diameterand the curvature has a diameter to engage around it.
 18. The assemblyof claim 10 wherein the curvature portion has a maximum curvature pointand the flat area is below the maximum curvature point.
 19. The assemblyof claim 18 wherein the flat area is at least about ¼ inch below themaximum curvature point.
 20. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the striphas opposite sides defining a width of the strip and the neck portion isformed by a narrowing of the width of the strip on each of the oppositesides.
 21. A clamp for clamping a pipe to a construction strut, of thetype having a strip that extends around a pipe or conduit or similarcircular member, having a first end engaged to the construction strutand a second end held by a bolt or screw attached to a nut that isengaged to the construction strut having inturned flanges, theimprovement comprising; the first end terminating in a retaining tabthat has a width selected to pass directly by the inturned flanges of aconstruction strut by straight-in insertion and the retaining tab beingdefined by a first side and a second side and the first side having anupward facing edge and the second side having an upward extending hookthat can engage under an adjacent inturned flange of a constructionstrut the upward facing edge and the top of the hook being alignedperpendicular to the strip and the strip near the second end beingadapted for passing a fastener through it and an intermediate portionextending between the first and second ends having a curvature portion;the nut being directly engaged to the construction strut to hold thesecond end in place; whereby the clamp can be attached to theconstruction strut at its top side, at the first end by the hook on thesecond side of the retaining tab engaging under an inturned flange ofthe construction strut; and the curvature of the intermediate portion ofthe strut clamp defining an opening such that a pipe or conduit orsimilar circular item may pass across the strut and be captured by theopening.
 22. A strut clamp and construction strut assembly comprising; aconstruction strut of the type having a bottom side that haslongitudinally spaced apart slots the slots having a width dimension anda length dimension and spaced apart parallel extending sides terminatingin spaced apart inturned flanges defining a top side having alongitudinal opening with a width dimension defined by the spaced apartinturned flanges; and a strut clamp comprising; a metal strip having afirst end and a second end; near the first end having a neck portionthat has a width that is less than the width dimension of thelongitudinal opening of the top side of the construction strut and isgreater than the width dimension of the slots; and a retaining tab belowthe neck portion, the retaining tab having a first and second side eachextending outwardly on opposite sides of the neck portion, and the firstside having an upward facing edge and the second side having an upwardextending hook the upward facing edge and the top of the hook beingaligned perpendicular to the metal strip and the second side of theretaining tab extending beyond the neck portion more than the first sideof the retaining tab and the retaining tab having a width that is lessthan the width dimension of the longitudinal opening of the top side ofthe construction strut and the retaining tab having a width that is lessthan the length dimension of the slot the width of the neck portionbeing less than the width dimension of the slot; the metal strip nearthe second end having a hole for passing a fastener through it and anintermediate portion extending between the first and second ends havinga curvature portion; and a nut having opposite ends each of the endsbeing formed as a pair of outwardly extending spaced apart hooks eachhook having an upward facing curved element and a central portionextending from the pairs of hooks and having a threaded holesubstantially midway of the central portion the distance between thehooks being such that the hooks will engage the inturned flanges of theconstruction strut when the nut is placed under them and the nut beingable to also be installed inside the strut to bear against the bottomside of the strut; the fastener being placed through the hole andthreaded to the threaded hole of the nut; whereby the strut clamp can beattached to the construction strut at its top side, at the first end bystraight-in insertion of the retaining tab past the inturned flanges ofthe construction strut and by the hook on the second side of theretaining tab engaging under an inturned flange of the constructionstrut and can be attached to the construction strut at its bottom sideby passing the retaining tab longitudinally oriented through a slot androtating the clamp so that the retaining tab is across the width of theslot and the neck is within the width of the slot; and the curvature ofthe intermediate portion of the strut clamp defining an opening suchthat a pipe or conduit or similar circular item may pass across thestrut and be captured by the opening thereby allowing clamping of a pipeor conduit or similar item to the construction strut either across thetop side or the bottom side of the construction strut by tightening thefastener to the nut.